Naked Mole Rat 437 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 This is a CL game against the 4th best team in the bundesliga. This is infinitely going to be more difficult than Sunderland. It's a bit strange that a few fans (here and other boards) think it'll be an easy game. BL is likely the best team Chelsea will face so far.Agreed. It shouldn't be an easy game. Also, I don't understand why fatigue should be a concern this early in the season, especially when we're playing at home 5 days before the United game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waterfall 893 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Probably massively underestimating Lverkusen and at the same time overrating Stoke, but I actually think this match is going to be easier than the Stoke one at Britannia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane 2,275 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 To call Ballack a Chelsea legend is absoulote bollocks, The man came in and had 2 decent seasons, and became a liabillity then, In his last season he was dreadful, and he is most remembered at Chelsea for a double against Man United.If he is a Chelsea legend so is Deco, Del Horno, Kezman and Shaun Wright-Phillips! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
planetchelsea 3 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Official: Torres has been dropped for the match yet again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheva. 5,373 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Official: Torres has been dropped for the match yet againBecause you see something on the sun doesn't make it official lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoubleO 192 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Going to be a tough match but hope we'll continue winning. Somehow I still believe in Torres even though his performance against Sunderland was horrible. We have to see how Dan-Tor-Mata works, because there is some potential. So, here's my starting XI:--------------------Cech--------------------Bosingwa--Ivanovic--Terry--Cole--------------------Meireles-------------------------Lampard-------Ramires---------Sturridge--------------------Mata-----------------------Torres-------------------Subs (if no one gets injured):- Ivanovic <-> Luiz- Torres <-> Anelka- Sturridge <-> Malouda (Mata -> RW, Malouda -> LW) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yum 15 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 This isn't the squad I want, it's what I think AVB will select.Cech, Cole, Terry, Ivanovic, Bosingwa, Lampard, Mikel, Meireles, Malouda, Anelka, SturridgeBench: Hilario, David Luiz, Ferreira, Ramires, Mata, Torres, KalouA side that rests some players and tries out Sturridge and Meireles. David Luiz and Torres need to come in for sure to see how they're doing and if they could feature against MU on Sunday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ollie 4,400 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 When you have 60+ games a season, there's no such thing as dropped. It's squad rotation and everyone needs to play a part. If Drogba is fit, he should start tomorrow so he can get some match sharpness and some much needed time on the pitch. I'm not underestimating Leverkusen but i really do think it will be a relatively easy game for some reason but it wont be pretty. Maybe a scrappy 1-0 or something. We have 4 whole days off too which is a day more than Man Utd as they play on Wednesday. They probably have the tougher game too as they're away. They will win but i think our preparation for Sunday will be better than theirs but wont make a whole lot of difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peace. 4,352 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 -----------------Cech---------------------Bos---------Luiz---Alex-------Bertrand-----------------Mikel-------------------------Meireles---------McEachran-------Sturridge----Torres-----------Mata--I would rest Terry, Cole and Lamps for United game and I would replace Mikel for Romeu, Mata for Malouda and Sturridge for Anelka/Kalou in 2nd half.Bertrand isn't in the CL squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Drog 1,110 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Maybe Torres has a better chance of scoring in the Champions League group stages than he does in the Premier League, its probably worth starting him.Hopefully we seeCechBosingwa, Luiz, Terry, ColeMeirelesRamires, LampardSturridge, Torres, Matabtw I think the reason why Chelsea fans think so highly of Ballack was his model behaviour in his time at Chelsea, his sheer commitment to the cause (eg. his chasing and shoving of Overbo) and because he was a genuinely household name who chose to play for our club and he played quite well in his time here and unlike the traitor Joe Cole, his message to the fans upon his departure was class personified. He will deservedly get a fantastic reception on the Bridge on Tuesday night, he deserves it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melanicus 5,208 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 German Coach Joachim Löw is really low! I don't understand how Ballack can't be a captain of Germany?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloody 209 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 ---------CechIvanovic - Luiz - Alex - Cole-----------Mikel----Meireles - McEachranSturridge - Torres - Malouda subs:ivanovic off, bosingwa inmalouda off, mata insturridge off, anelka inall subs @ around 60-70 mins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
termninja 5,290 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 German Coach Joachim Löw is really low! I don't understand how Ballack can't be a captain of Germany?! You are exaggerating now. Ballack is good, but he's 34 and doesn't fit into Low's plans. Schweinsteiger, Khedira and Ozil can all offer more then Ballack in the midfield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peace. 4,352 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 What pisses me off about this game, is that we should have given a rest to Ashley Cole ahead of the United game, yet we can't because we didn't have included our second LB choice... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kieran. 6,317 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Ballack wasn't the best midfielder in the world at Chelsea, but he brought stability, determination and strength. He was a class act and always gave 100%. He scored important goals. He was even willing to take a pay cut to stay at the Bridge.Not a Chelsea legend, but he was quite a player for us and deserves a standing ovation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmax 9,219 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Regardless of his contributions at Chelsea, Ballack is a legend of recent football history.Anyway this match is about more than Ballack and Torres so I hope we talk about something other than those two tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHOULO19 24,332 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I wonder if AVB will start Torres despite that interview he gave. I think Drogba should come in as a sub if he's fit, he needs a few minutes before the manu game.BTW I really think people are underestimating Bayer; They have a great keeper and young talented strikers. Their strongest point is their midfield, their weakest is the back four. I'm sure we'll win but it probably won't be a cruise.I can't wait to see Ballack get a standing ovation at the Bridge...he deserves it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rambo 1,729 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Sturridge needs to start vs. United, rest him for Bayer and start Malouda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manpe 10,861 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Sturridge needs to start vs. United, rest him for Bayer and start Malouda.Sturridge rested on his ass for 3 games, he needs match practice now... he must play afaic. No Malouda pretty please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmax 9,219 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 BTW I really think people are underestimating Bayer; They have a great keeper and young talented strikers. Their strongest point is their midfield, their weakest is the back four. I'm sure we'll win but it probably won't be a cruise.Exactly ... watch out for Renato Augusto. Star in the making. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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